Any fans of the track "Automatic" here on the org? It has always been one of my faves...

I love the sparseness, the keyboard hook, the robot voice effects, the mad acts of devotion Prince rants on about, the build-up and layering of styles and imagery...

What about the video? I remember on the few occasions it was shown, it usually used to "cut" just as the bed was being directed on to the stage as if it were an aircraft!!

When I finally got to see the whole clip I just found it so amusing!

So anybody else like to comment on this track?

One of the best songs from 1999. I love the guitar solo and I believe its Lisa Coleman moaning in the background.

This is one of my absolute faves off 1999.

This and Lady Cab Driver are true P classics in my book.

I had no idea there was a promo video for this! I would love to check it out...

Hearing him doing this (at least the music) at the celebration was one of the moments I thought I was just gonna explode with happiness. Of course, it was weirdly mixed with "shake" but it still was a perfect moment for me...

I'll go down on you all night long, it's automatic
you will?
yes I will, baby
and even when I'm right, I'll be wrong
it's automatic too
hey!

That song is my true fave from 1999 (eventhough I'm always talking about DMSR). I fell in LOVE with that song while it was out. I used to wait eagerly for the video everyday after school on this odd video channel - I just remember the band performing on a stage, lots of smoke & a bed (didn't Lisa & Jill Jones - ? - use white scarves to tie P to the bed or something?) DAMN, I wish I had that on tape. MEMORIES...

"Automatic" is one of the many highlights of the '1999' album.A classic! The whole thing is intoxicating and mesmerizing.The video is a little silly...lol...but the song rocks!

I've always wondered why this song was never released as a single.

I love the opening of that song. That simple keyboard part.
Heard it at a concert once and it filled me with joy for some reason. It's a strange song.

Another fav from 1999 is FREE. It's very not Prince-like.
Should me back-2-back with 'Don't Talk 2 Strangers'.

DavidEye said:

It was only released as a single in Australia for some reason... (backed with "Something in The Water (Does not compute)"

"Automatic" represents everything that "1999" embodies- long experimental synth funk workouts. It is at once foreign and familiar. I adore this song!

is anybody there who could help me to get a full version of the video for Automatic? I've got the edited video somewhere on VHS but I have never seen the bed scene.

Buenos Dias Amigos,


Yes Automatic is a great song. One of my favorites off of "1999". And the video is awesome too. I had the long version video to Automatic as well. It was funny the way they were whippinig LIL MAN as he was tied to the bed. I had this video, as well as, all of Prince videos from 1979 to 1988, but something happened to the videotape. If anyone have his videos from 1979 to 1988...send me an orgnote. Maybe we can work something out.

I remember seeing the Automatic video for the first time on this video show out of England (I think) called "MV3".

I say I too.
Allthough it is a shame i never saw videos from before purple rain .except 1999.
Can somebody like prince and dislike this song at the same time ? I don't think so.

Hey guys,I just remembered something.The '1999' album came out in October 1982,I think.So that means that this album will be celebrating it's 20th Anniversary in a few months!

Hello all,

A-U-T-O-matic! The best song on 1999 in my opinion! The "war cry" drums near the end of the song rocked!!!

Didnt he do that on Private Joy as well?

Is it just me or did it sound like Prince was making up the music as the drum machine track went on?

He has said in interviews that those bass & keyboard grooves just "came" through him at times!

DCM

To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the '1999' album,wouldn't it be cool if Warners and Prince could re-master the CD,add bonus tracks,rare photos,and other goodies? It could be an expanded 2-CD set like this...

DISC 1---
1999
Little Red Corvette
Delirious
Let's Pretend We're Married
DMSR
Automatic
Something In The Water(Does Not Compute)
Free
Lady Cab Driver
All The Critics Love U In New York
International Lover

DISC 2---
Turn It Up(previously unreleased)
Feel U Up(previoulsy unreleased version)
Irresistible Bitch(previously unreleased version)
Extra Lovable (previously unreleased)
Purple Music (previously unreleased)
Something In The Water (demo version)
How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore (regular B-side version)
Irresistible Bitch(regular B-side version)
Moonbeam Levels (previously unreleased)

DavidEye said:

Great idea!! Somebody want to start another petition going!!!

DavidEye said:

Great Idea Man.

it's a tight Jam.the only knock here is that it's surrounded by so many Other Tight Jams that it gets lost.but IMHO on about at least 10 other Prince Albums this Song would easily stand out.but Here it's amongest the Best Songs Here.dig the Groove&Vibe.the Video cracks me up&interestingly I saw a Marylyn Manson(Misspelled)Video that had a Concept alot like "AutoMatic"? I know Manson is a Fan.He had the Cap&All.

absolutey LOVE this cut...its a dream...its like the "Bladerunner" of music

I knew I'm not the only one here, I love the fact that it has some DARK sides I CAN'T explain it but I DO feel it.
[This message was edited Thu Jul 25 12:59:30 PDT 2002 by Harlepolis]

AUTOMATIC is my favorite song from 1999. It's seductive, sexy & spacy. Very prototypical of that (great) era of Prince music.


The 3rd verse is my favorite, probably because I can.. relate to certain parts of it..

then, I like how the song kind of floats & meanders after the "crying" part & then how the song erupts into it's (bass) funky finale..


After all these years, I still have yet to see the video for this song..
(I know, SHAME ON ME.)


yeah, definitely the best song on 1999, in my opinion, & 1 of his best ever

in fact, as soon as I get home, I'm gonna play it-
2 or 3 times..

DarrenMawbey said:

Let's do it...lol...

quote]To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the '1999' album,wouldn't it be cool if Warners and Prince could re-master the CD,add bonus tracks,rare photos,and other goodies? It could be an expanded 2-CD set like this...

DISC 1---
1999
Little Red Corvette
Delirious
Let's Pretend We're Married
DMSR
Automatic
Something In The Water(Does Not Compute)
Free
Lady Cab Driver
All The Critics Love U In New York
International Lover

DISC 2---
Turn It Up(previously unreleased)
Feel U Up(previoulsy unreleased version)
Irresistible Bitch(previously unreleased version)
Extra Lovable (previously unreleased)
Purple Music (previously unreleased)
Something In The Water (demo version)
How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore (regular B-side version)
Irresistible Bitch(regular B-side version)
Moonbeam Levels (previously unreleased)[/quote]



YES ! I always though that all the early years need to be re-mastered and that it will b very cool 2 put a 2nd cd with bsides and unreleased track from these sessions (like "Whats Goin On" by Marvin Gaye and so mlany others...)

but, as u know, P and WB are not in quite good feelings with each others !!!

I always though it was a really cool song. Prince is one of the few artists who tries to please the girl instead of heavy metal music that often asks "what are you gonna do for me?" The first time I listened to this song with headphones I couldn't believe my ears. Genius.

Love it.

BUT, I'd have 2 say Something In the water is a bigger fave of mine.

Nep2nes said:

I have to agree

Eye luv the song and the video and might eye say baby looks FINE in the video!

Was my favorite from day one! It'a a funky LOVE declaration- Prince's creative genius blinding on this track. Who can make the guitar sound like a voice more so than he can (regarding the solo)?